Infant school gets top marks from Ofsted

Whitley Park Infant and Nursery School has achieved the highest possible grading from schools inspectors Ofsted.

The school in Basingstoke Road was judged outstanding in every aspect of its work by an inspection team that visited it in June.

The inspection report says: "Whitley Park Infant and Nursery is an outstanding school where pupils thrive and achieve as well as they can. Pupils demonstrably enjoy being at Whitley Park because they start experiencing excellence from their first day."

The key role of Headteacher Ann Tanner is highlighted in the report, which says: "At the heart of the school's success are the inspiration and dedication of the headteacher who, because of her deep knowledge and understanding of how young children develop and learn, relentlessly pursues excellence in all aspects of these pupils' education."

Among the school's strengths highlighted in the report are:

• The outstanding achievement of pupils
• The outstanding progress of all pupils, including those with disabilities and those whose first language is not English
• Procedures to care for and support all children are exemplary, with the report commenting: "All pupils are cared for, supported and loved. That is the essence of the school."
• Teaching is outstanding
• Leadership and management are outstanding, and the school is led "impeccably" by the headteacher
• Parents and carers are fully involved as partners in the children's learning
• Pupils with learning difficulties achieve "extremely well"
• Pupils very much enjoy their time in school, and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding
• Children benefit from a very rich curriculum
• Governors understand their roles very well and effectively support staff

In a letter to pupils, Lead Inspector June Woolhouse said: "We had a super time when we came to see how well you were getting on. We think you go to an outstanding school and have wonderful teachers who care so much about you. We were amazed by how good your work was in every single class."

Headteacher Ann Tanner said: "We are thrilled with the report that comes as we celebrate the school's 75th birthday - we are delighted and proud to have such wonderful children in our school."

Chair of Governors Nigel Denton said: "The governors are delighted that the strengths of the school have been recognised by Ofsted. The community has always been proud to have such an excellent school in the heart of Whitley."

Lead Councillor for Education and Lifelong Learning Jon Hartley said: "It is difficult to find an appropriate superlative to describe the sheer quality of work that goes on at Whitley Park Infant and Nursery School. I think the Ofsted report speaks for itself and very accurately expresses what teachers, governors, parents and children already know - that their school is excellent in every way."

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